EU commissioner urges swift membership for Ukraine

The European Union should swiftly admit Ukraine as a member, following the country’s significant progress on reforms, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on January 22.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the Ukrainian House in Davos, Kos highlighted the EU’s longstanding commitment to peace and stability, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“We want to achieve peace, freedom, and prosperity, and, of course, security,” she said.

Kos emphasised that the EU has never experienced war within its borders, in contrast to the wider European continent. “The European Union is a peaceful project. There have been wars in Europe, also in my country, and later in Croatia, Bosnia, etc., but never on the territory of the European Union. That is why we will welcome you as quickly as possible,” she added.

The commissioner praised Ukraine’s reform record, noting that 63 of 68 reforms highlighted in the latest EU enlargement report have been completed in full. “From the latest period when you were mentioned in the enlargement report, 63 of 68 reforms have been completed 100 per cent. So this is a huge success. And, of course, we are evaluated on each individual topic, but the main thing is to do everything together,” Kos said.

She stressed that reforms should focus on improving prosperity for Ukrainians, citing Poland as an example of economic growth following EU membership. High-quality reforms, Kos explained, would also encourage foreign investment and provide legal certainty for businesses, supporting the Ukrainian economy’s further development.

Official figures indicate that the budget to support Ukraine’s European credit line over the next two years will amount to €30 billion, contingent on the country’s progress in implementing its European integration reform programme.

By Aghakazim Guliyev